Outsourcing Meeting Report by Ron

John Burgess, Barnet UNISON Branch Secretary, led a discussion of how trade unionists and community residents can organise to combat councils’ attempts to outsource public services. Drawing on the experience of the London Borough, where since 2008, many public sources have been outsourced or privatised, John cited examples of campaigning activity, including holding stalls, petitioning, speaking at council meetings, grilling councillors with questions and political action aimed at unseating Tory councillors.The 25 who attended the meeting resolved to meet in the near future to build a movement in Northamptonshire to contest NCC’s plans to outsource a range of public sources to Community Interest Companies.

The Northampton ​TUC secretary has reserved a room at the Doddridge Centre on Wednesday 7 October at 7:15 for the meeting to kick start a campaign against outsourcing of NCC services. Feel free to spread the word to colleagues, neighbours and friends, since the Barnet campaign took off when they involved not only trade unionists but community residents also.

Tory Party Conference Protests and Events

Travel – it’s a bit late to book coaches now – details have already been circulated. If you want to attend the TUC demonstration at the Conservative Party Conference 4th Oct, there is NUT transport available from Northampton or Kettering.

08:30 Coach departs from Cornmarket Hall (Kettering)

09:00 Departure from Mounts Car Park (Northampton)

12:30 Estimated arrival at Oxford Road or police directed drop off point (Manchester)

4 October join Defend Council Housing in a housing contingent on the big TUC People’s Assembly march in Manchester. The DCH Contingent assembles 12.30pm by the National Computing Centre, Oxford Rd, M1 7EF.

Also the People’s Housing Conference 10 October 10-5 at Friends Meeting House Euston Rd in London, will bring together tenants, trade unions and housing activists. DCH with Unite the Union, the People’s Assembly and many others are collaborating to build on the growing housing movement. For details and to book see The People’s Housing Conference. And housing and health campaigners will join protests 21-23 October in Olympia, West London, when developers gather to buy up public land: see more information and leaflet here. Sign up to resist attacks on council housing, along with Jeremy Corbyn, Caroline Lucas, councillors, trade unions and tenants: see statement
And pass this statement against means testing by Councils and housing associations – see model resolution.